Skip to main content

Saturday 18 May 1940 – Death of Sapper Denis Hartwell

Category Hatches, Matches and Dispatches » Deaths
Publication
Evesham Standard & West Midland Observer
Transcription of article

BADSEY SAPPER KILLED IN FRANCE

Nearly five months after he had enlisted for service with the Royal Engineers, Sapper Denis Hartwell, youngest son of Mr & Mrs J Hartwell, Brewers Lane, Badsey, has been killed accidentally in France.  His parents were notified on Wednesday.

Sapper Hartwell, who was 20 years of age, volunteered in October and was called for service in January this year.

An old pupil of Badsey Council School, he was well-known in the village and his cheerful and willing disposition gained him many friends.  He was an amateur footballer of considerable ability and after playing for Badsey Juniors and Cleeve Amateurs, assisted Badsey Rangers.

Before enlisting he was employed by Mr S Savage, a local builder.

A brother, Jack Hartwell, is with the BEF.

Believed to be the first Badsey victim of the war, Sapper Hartwell was engaged to be married to Miss Eunice Thould of Kings Road, Evesham.